Construction  of tailors  measures



' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD DAME, OE HANOVER, NEV HAMPSHIRE.

CONSTRUCTION OF TAILOR-S MEASURES.

Specification of Letters Patent N o. 1,584, dated May 8, 1840.

To all whom if may concern Be it known that I, RICHARD DAME, of

Hanover. in the county of Grafton and State serving to fasten the leaf J, to the strap.

of New Hampshire, have invented an Improvement in the Manner of Constructing and Using an Instrument for Taking Measures for Coats and Similar Outer Garments, which instrument is generally known under the denomination of the Tailors Measuring-Square; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and eXact description thereof.

Figure l, in the accompanying drawing is a representation of my improv-ed measuring instrument drawn to one half of its actual size.

A, B, C, D, represent elastic straps of metal, steel being generally used to make them. These straps are graduated into inches and parts of inches in the ordinary way. The straps B, and C, constitute the ordinary tailors measuring square, the two parts thereof being joined together by rivets, so as to stand at right angles to each other and to constitute a square. On the upper end of the arm C, there is fixed a spirit level E, to direct in affixing the strap horizontally.

F, F, is a measuring tape which is to be graduated like the straps into inches and parts thereof. This tape is connected to the square by means of a pivot, or joint pin, at the interior angle of the square, as shown at a.

So far this instrument does not differ from such as have been before used.

To the strap B, I join the straps A, and D, by means of the hinges G, and H. These hinges are best made of sheet brass andwith the plates double, so as to receivey the ends of the straps between the two portions, where they are secured by rivets. Upon each of the straps A, and D, l place a sliding hinge or strap fastener I, which like the hinges G and H are made of double plates of brass. Fig. 2 represents one of these sliding hinges on the reverse side, together with a part of the strap on which it is placed, drawn to the full size. The steel strap A, passes between the brass plates of the leaf I, and through a slot in it at which thus constitutes a sliding socket upon the strap. The leafJ, is capable of being opened and closed and carries two curved pins, c, c, the points of which enter the holes CZ, CZ, when the leaf J is closed down. These when measure is to be taken.

c. is a button, turning on the pin f and T o hold the sliding hinges in their places, I attach a steel spring K, to the strap I, of the sliding hinge, which spring bears upon the steel strap, and carries a pin at g, which falls into the holes h, 7L, L, on the strap, and thus confines the sliding hinge.

The following is the method of using this instrument. The coat of the person to be measured is to be smoothly buttoned around the breast and shoulders. The strap is then to be applied so that the vertical branch C, shall be brought close in front of the right shoulder, while the other portion of it shall pass horizontally under the armpit and around upon the back and in front upon the breast, the spirit level serving to adjust it in the proper position, the curved pins upon. the sliding hinges and similar pins upon the stationary hinges G, H, serving to keep it in place. lVhen thus fixed the following twelve measures are to be taken: lst, pass the tape measure F, F, backward under the arm in an upward and oblique direction until you reach the socket bone of the neck, at the top of t-he back seam of the coat, which is to be set down in inches and parts of inches; 2nd, note the number upon the horizontal branch of th-e strap, where it reaches the back seam; 3rd, pass the tape backward in an oblique direction to any required point between the strap, and the required length of the waist, and mark down this measure; 4th, pass the tape down in an oblique direction to a point in the back seam of the coa-t at the required length of the waist; 5th, pass the tape in a straight line to the top of the hip bone, which set down; 6th, pass the tape in front in an oblique direction to the bottom and center of the breast of the coat; 7th, note the number of the horizontal branch of the strap where it comes to a point in the center of the breast; 8th, from the last mentioned point in the center of the breast, pass a common tape measure in an oblique direction over the right shoulder, until it reaches the socket bone of the neck at the top of the back seam; 9th, pass a common tape meas-V ure from the same point, in an oblique direction over the right shoulder, and across the back, until it reaches the top of the strap at the back seam, which note; 10th, pass the tape measure attached to the strap in front of the right arm, over the shoulder until it reaches the socket bone ofA the neck; 11th, pass the saine tape in front of the arm, over the shoulder, and across the' back, until it reaches the topI of the strap at the back seam; 12th, pass the same tape in front of the arm over the shoulder, close to the sleeve head, and down behind, until it reaches the top of the strap near the side seam. these Ameasures being' carefully noted down, this'part of the operation is completed.

rI `Will here remark that the strap may be applied to the left shoulder in the same Way as that herein described of applying' it to the right shoulder, when circumstances may render it desirable so to do.V The longer All' and are obtained in consequence of the addition made by me tothe square, or measuring instruments heretofore employed, and cannot be taken excepting by the aid of my principal improvement, which consists in the tivo extension branches A, and D, of the horizontal strap, attached to the portion B, of the square, by means of the hinges Gr and H. a

Vhatl claim, therefore, as constituting' my invention and improvement is- The attaching theadditional or extension branch D at the end of the ordinary horizontal branch B, of the tailorsA measuring square by means of the hinge H, and combining With the branches thesliding hinges for attaching saidbranches, asset forth.

RICHARD DAME.

Witnesses: l I

Trios. P.' JONES, GEORGE R. WEST. 

